"EMDR is a gift; it heals, it is effective and efficient, it has given meaning to my life beyond anything I could imagine, it keeps my work challenging and equally rewarding, and I don’t know what I would do without it."
I am eternally grateful for how EMDR therapy has changed the lives of my clients. Over the years, I have humbly witnessed the incredible strength of the human spirit — felt the client’s relief that comes after pain and on the other side of something horrible, the transformation that follows healing, and the empowerment that emerges when a heart is finally free.
As a strength-based clinician with a direct yet compassionate style, I have used EMDR therapy in my private practice for nearly 31years. It has been profoundly effective in resolving major past and recent traumas, as well as long -standing experiences that have caused emotional pain or limited personal growth.
EMDR therapy has also proven valuable during life transitions such as divorce, loss, or workplace and relationship challenges. I have seen clients move beyond self-doubt and emotional barriers to perform at their best — not only in their personal and professional lives, but also in sports and creative pursuits. Simply put, EMDR therapy continues to inspire me because it helps people heal deeply, reclaim their strength, and live more fully than they ever thought possible.
When you choose EMDR therapy with Dr. Freitag, you are working with a clinician at the forefront of the field. As President of the EMDR Research Foundation, she integrates the most current, effective research into every session.
What is EMDR and How Does It Work?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, commonly known as EMDR therapy, is an integrative, comprehensive, evidence-based psychotherapy approach proven effective for the treatment of trauma. EMDR therapy includes a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from many different treatment approaches. To date, EMDR therapy has helped millions of people of all ages relieve many types of psychological stress.
​
The primary focus of EMDR therapy is to allow the client, using bilateral stimulation (e.g., eye movement), to reprocess traumatic events or other emotional roadblocks, and ultimately become desensitized to the memories or obstacles that may be at the root of many problems. When we are subjected to life-disturbing and traumatic events, our brains may not fully comprehend and process the totality of the situation. This failure to process events thoroughly often manifests itself as a debilitating psychological condition that can prevent us from living in the present moment.
EMDR therapy stimulates the brain into reprocessing the events so that we may begin to reconcile them internally and desensitize ourselves to their traumatic nature. This enables and empowers us to once again be comfortable in our own skin.
The Benefits of EMDR for PTSD and Stress
EMDR therapy has also been found to be effective in treating other types of psychological conditions, such as depression, anxiety, fears and phobias, somatic disorders, and for stress management, to name a few. It has also been used to help alleviate performance anxiety and to enhance the functioning of people at work and play. It helps to remove the emotional obstacles to performing optimally and enhances confidence and self-efficacy. The three EMDR therapy professional organizations have compiled information and articles on EMDR therapy for the public and professionals.
Working with a National Leader in EMDR Research
The EMDR Research Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises money for high-quality EMDR therapy research. You can read through several articles to explain EMDR therapy, history, and what to expect.
EMDRIA is the professional organization for EMDR therapy clinicians also has information to increase public awareness of EMDR therapy.
Another brief overview of the EMDR therapy is provided by the Trauma Recovery/EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program.